Combination twist grip for motorcycles

ABSTRACT

A combination turning handle for controlling operation of a fuel mixture feeding element and braking elements for the front and rear wheels of a motorcycle or other vehicle comprises a torque sensor which measures a positive or negative torque exerted by the driver on the turning handle for increasing or for decreasing the speed. Two servo units respond to the measured value of the torque sensor, actuate the fuel mixture feeding element or the two braking elements, and a speed sensor measures the momentary speed of the motorcycle. A servo motor rotates the turning handle by an angle corresponding to the measured value of the speed sensor.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the priority of German patent document 197 51211.9, filed Nov. 19, 1997 and PCT International Application No.PCT/EP98/06919, filed Nov. 2, 1998, the disclosures of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to a combination turning handle for a motorcycle,for alternately operating the fuel mixture feeding element and thebraking elements for the front and rear, wheels.

In a conventional motorcycle, the turning handle is used exclusively foroperating the fuel mixture feeding element, for example, a throttlevalve; and a separate hand or foot brake lever is provided for operatingthe braking elements for the front and rear wheels. When the driverrotates the turning handle downward to increase the speed, he willnotice the occurring acceleration because of the inertial forceaffecting his body. When the front and/or rear wheel brake is operated,the perception of the deceleration takes place analogous. However,ergonomically, it would be much more advantageous for the driver toreceive a feedback directly from the operating part causing an increaseor a reduction of the driving speed, which indicates to him theacceleration or the deceleration of the motorcycle.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a combinationturning handle of the above-mentioned type which meets this requirement.

This and other objects and advantages are achieved according to theinvention, in which an “active” turning handle is provided whichcontrols the complete longitudinal dynamics (that is, the accelerationand the deceleration of the motorcycle) and simultaneously sends afeedback to the driver. Since the positive or negative torque exerted onthe turning handle is a measurement of an intended increase or thereduction of the speed, while the rotational position of the handle iscontrolled as a function of the vehicle speed, the driver feels theoccurring acceleration or deceleration of the motorcycle directly on theturning handle. The combination turning handle according to theinvention therefore permits a close connection between the driver andthe motorcycle, which promotes driving safety.

Since a servo motor causes the turning handle to follow the measuredvalue of the speed sensor, a defined driving speed is assigned to eachangle of rotation. In order to maintain a certain speed, the turninghandle therefore need only be held in a certain angular position.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a combination turning handle inconnection with a block diagram; and

FIG. 2 is a graphic representation which illustrates the relationshipbetween the momentary speed of a motorcycle and the angle of rotation ofthe turning handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A turning handle 2, a torque sensor 4 and a servo motor 6 are arrangedat the right-hand end of the handle bar (not shown). A servo unit 8 foroperating a braking system 12 and a servo unit 10 for operating a fuelmixture feeding element 14 are electrically connected with the torquesensor 4. A speed sensor 16, which measures the momentary speed of themotorcycle, controls the servo motor 6, for example, a stepping motor.The braking system 12 comprises the braking elements for the front andrear wheel of the motorcycle. A brake power proportioning device isprovided which automatically causes an appropriate distribution of thebraking force exercised on the front and rear wheel in a known manner.The fuel mixture feeding element 14 may be a throttle valve or aninjection device. For reasons of simplicity, the element 14 will becalled a throttle valve in the following.

The turning handle 2 is used for accelerating as well as for braking themotorcycle. When the driver wants to accelerate the motorcycle, that is,increase the speed, he exerts a positive torque (directed downward asshown by the arrow ACC in the figure) onto the turning handle 2. Theamount and the direction of this torque is measured by the torque sensor4, and the corresponding acceleration signal is transmitted to the servounit 10. The servo unit 10 actuates the throttle valve 14 correspondingto the measured value of the torque sensor 4 in the opening direction.As a result, more fuel is fed to the engine, which results in anincrease of the engine power and of the speed of the motor cycle.

The momentary speed of the motorcycle is measured by the speed sensor16, which emits a corresponding measuring signal to the servo motor 6.The servo motor 6 will then rotate the turning handle 2 connected withit by an angle which corresponds to the received measuring signal. Theangular position of the turning handle 2 therefore corresponds to thespeed of the motorcycle, and thus increases in the direction of arrowACC as the speed increases. When the driver wants to end theacceleration, that is, no longer wants to increase the speed, he holdsthe turning angle 2 fixedly in the reached end position.

If the speed drops because the road resistance is increasing, forexample, in the case of a slope, the servo motor will rotate the turninghandle 2 in the opposite direction. However, if the driver counteractsthis rotation by exerting a corresponding positive torque on the turninghandle 3, this increase of the torque is detected by the torque sensor4. The signal supplied by the torque sensor 4 to the servo unit 10therefore changes for further opening the throttle valve 14. The powerof the engine will therefore increase so that the speed of themotorcycle can be kept constant.

However, when the speed of the motorcycle increases because the roadresistance decreases, for example, in the case of a gradient, the servomotor 6 will rotate the turning handle 2 in the positive directioncorresponding to the change of the signal received from the speed sensor16. When the driver wants to keep this speed constant, he can fixedlyhold the turning handle 2 in the momentary position by applying acorresponding negative torque (in the direction opposite the arrow ACC).The torque sensor 4 detects this negative torque and supplies acorresponding signal to the throttle valve 14 in order to close it. Thepower of the engine is therefore reduced so that the speed remainsconstant.

As indicated in the above description, a certain angular position of theturning handle 2 is assigned to each speed of the motorcycle. The speedof the motorcycle can therefore be kept constant independently of therespective road resistance in that the turning handle 2 is kept in itsangular position corresponding to the desired speed.

When the motorcycle is to be braked, that is, decelerated, the driverexercises a negative torque (directed upward, in the direction oppositethat of arrow ACC in the figure) on the turning handle 2. The torquesensor 4 detects the amount and the direction of this torque and emits acorresponding signal to the servo unit 8 which actuates the brakingsystem 12 for the front and the rear wheel of the motorcycle. Theresulting occurring reduction of the speed is detected by the speedsensor 16 which supplies a corresponding signal to the servo motor 6.The servo motor 6 correspondingly rotates the turning handle 2 or causesit to follow. As soon as the motorcycle has reached the desired reducedspeed, the driver will no longer exercise a negative torque onto theturning handle 2. The torque sensor 4 therefore supplies a correspondingsignal to the servo unit 8 for releasing the brake system 12. Themotorcycle will then maintain the speed corresponding to the momentaryangular position of the turning handle 2, as explained above. If thedriver wants to increase the speed again, he will exercise a positivetorque onto the turning handle 2.

Because the turning handle 2 responds to the positive or negative torqueexerted by the operator for accelerating or decelerating, the driverreceives a direct feedback concerning the occurred change of the drivingspeed.

FIG. 2 of the drawing illustrates the relationship between the drivingspeed of the motorcycle and the angle of rotation of the turning handle2. As illustrated, this relationship may be proportional, degressive orprogressive. This characteristic can be set either at the factory or bythe driver. Expediently, the “hardness” of the turning handle 2, thatis, the ratio between the torque exercised on the turning handle 2 andthe adjusting path of the two servo units 8 and 10 can be adjusted sothat it can be adapted to the personal requirements of the male orfemale driver.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed:
 1. A combination turning handle for controllingoperation of a fuel mixture feeding element and braking elements of avehicle, comprising: a turning handle which is rotatable about an axisthereof; a torque sensor which measures a positive or negative torqueexerted on the turning handle for increasing or decreasing vehiclespeed; first and second servo units which actuate the fuel mixturefeeding element and the braking elements respectively corresponding to ameasured positive or negative value measured by the torque sensor; aspeed sensor which measures the momentary speed of the motorcycle; and aservo motor which rotates the turning handle by an angle correspondingto a vehicle speed measured by the speed sensor.
 2. The combinationturning handle according to claim 1, wherein a brake power proportioningdevice is assigned to the braking elements (12) for the front and therear wheel.
 3. The combination turning handle according to claim 1,wherein a torque/path ratio of the servo units can be preset.
 4. Thecombination turning handle according to claim 1, wherein acharacteristic of speed feedback is variable.
 5. A method forcontrolling operation of a vehicle having a rotatable control handle,first and second actuators for operating a fuel mixture feeding elementand vehicle brakes, respectively, and a vehicle speed sensor,comprising: controlling at least one of said actuators as a function ofa torque exerted on said control handle; and controlling an angularrotational position of said control handle solely as a function ofvehicle speed detected by said vehicle speed sensor.
 6. A method forcontrolling operation of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein saidfirst actuator controls an amount of fuel fed by said fuel mixturefeeding element as a function of magnitude of a torque exerted on saidcontrol handle.
 7. A method for controlling operation of a vehicleaccording to claim 6, wherein said second actuator controls a brakingforce applied by said vehicle brakes, as a function of magnitude of atorque exerted on said control handle.
 8. A method for controllingoperation of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said secondactuator controls a braking force applied by said vehicle brakes, as afunction of magnitude of a torque exerted on said control handle.
 9. Amethod for controlling a vehicle having a rotatable control handle,comprising: controlling at least one of vehicle acceleration and vehiclebraking as a function of a torque exerted on said control handle; andcontrolling an angular rotational position of said control handle solelyas a function of vehicle speed.